Our generation is known as the technology generation, and it’s only getting more advanced as we go on.
We rely more and more on technology in everyday life. We use technology to communicate with people, to get from place to place and now, more than ever, to get an education.
When I got to college, I didn’t have much experience with online classes. The only experience I had was doing half a year of Latin online because my teacher went nuts and decided to quit mid-year.
I enjoyed the online part of the class but I hated taking a foreign language without the face-to-face interaction. But online classes are a blessing. I’ve taken seven online classes throughout my time here at FGCU, and for me they are perfect.
I’m a very busy guy. I’m very active with the newspaper (obviously, just look at the title under my byline), I’m very active with Pi Kapp and I try to attend as many sporting events and concerts as possible so I try to take online classes so I’m not on campus all day every day.
For people who are constantly busy or work a lot to pay for their living expenses, online classes are the way to go. For example, my roommate last semester decided to take all online classes so he could work practically full time so he could afford to pay for college and housing.
Unlike me, kids coming into college are more familiar with online classes. Where I went to high school, they now require every student to have at least one online class under their belt to graduate. They’re smart because they know times are changing.
The biggest argument against online classes is the “but I don’t get that human interaction aspect of the class”  blah, blah, blah. Every teacher has office hours, which you probably don’t use. Every teacher has a phone and email address you can use to get in contact with him or her if you have questions.
The whole argument about not having the interaction is bogus because let’s be honest — in most classes we’re on our phones or laptops anyway. Don’t worry; I’m guilty of it, too.
According to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ronald B. Toll, about 20 percent of FGCU’s courses are online, and I bet you that number is only going to go up. Building new academic buildings takes a lot of time; setting up a course online takes much less time. So don’t be mad when you have to take a Friday class when you could’ve taken it online and done it whenever.
We’re already glued to technology, so why not make it worth it?
With virtual classes, you don’t have to worry about rushing to class or missing work because you are sick — you can schedule your class on your time. No more waking up at 7:30 a.m. to rush to campus to get a bad parking spot, and bitch about it, only to get to class and realize that it has been canceled. Instead, you can get a good night’s sleep, make yourself a nutritional breakfast, put on last night’s episode of “The Daily Show” and enjoy writing your essay about what European monarch was the best.
So, FGCU, times are changing. Get your MacBooks ready and let’s learn.